Daniel Craig as James Bond
Judi Dench as M
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd
Jeffery Wright as Felix Leiter

DIRECTOR:

Martin Campbell

Running time: 2hr 24 minutes.

Go see “Casino Royal”

I really enjoyed it. It’s a bond film but a little different. Bond and company shifted some when Pierce Brosnan played him, but some of the changes weren’t really for the better. I think Brosnan became a fall guy for people’s discontent about the changes. History will vindicate him.

Daniel Craig makes a great Bond. If you like bond films you’ll like this one. It’s especially fun to see them explain some of the things we associate with Bond like his Astin Martin, martinis and tuxedos. Overall the acting was good, as was the action.

The changes this time were more successful in my opinion. This bond didn’t pull off quite so many supper human stunts. This Bond doesn’t always land on his feet. He nearly dies and he nearly falls in love. He also isn’t as nonchalant about killing. This film is action bordering on suspense. In some way it feels like “The Italian Job” or “Oceans 11” more than old school 007.

What about the “PG-13” Rating?

That’s nice change from “R,” huh? I liked all the Bond films even though at times they relied way too much on skin. Bond’s womanizing was always presented as pitiable more than admirable. He was a man that couldn’t form lasting relationships. In the 70’s that reflected the casualness of the age. Now we think of him as wounded and incomplete. The rating is deserved—chicks in bathing suits, and steamy make-out scenes—but in yet another break with tradition the most skin shown goes to Bond himself.

Larger Story

No larger story here that I can see. I watched 3 films today though, so I might be a little tired.

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